NBAA has joined with a group of industry stakeholders in a letter seeking clarification from the IRS about the implementation of upcoming incentivization programs aimed at increasing the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Starting on Jan. 1, 2023, the SAF Blenders Tax Credit (SAF BTS) will give SAF producers a $1.25 per gallon tax credit for SAF sold as part of a qualified fuel mixture with a lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction of at least 50 percent compared to standard jet-A, while the Clean Fuel Production Credit, slated to take effect on Jan. 1, 2025, will apply to all transportation fuels compared to a baseline emissions factor. Fuels such as SAF would be eligible for additional credits of up to $1.75 a gallon for 100 percent GHG reduction.
The letter from the 62-member SAF BTS coalition to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellin highlighted the need for a streamlined transition between the two programs to provide assurance to the fuel producers.
“With project timelines spanning three to five years for construction of a SAF facility and the [SAF BTS] credit currently set to expire at the end of 2027, the letter is critical that guidance for [the CFPC] be provided well ahead of the 2025 statutory deadline, ideally by early next year,” it stated.
Before you start posting comments on pilot forums that begin with the title, “Sancetta has totally lost his marbles,” please hear me out. A pilot’s main concern when going to their aviation medical examiner (AME) for their required FAA examinations is, understandably, to walk out of the AME’s office with their coveted medical certificate in hand—and with little fanfare along the way.
I get it. In addition to my medical practice, I was also a professional pilot for more than 30 years. I too am familiar with the trepidation of the potential outcomes of an FAA medical examination.
While pilots often find the FAA requirements for filling out the laborious MedXpress application and the extensive examination requirements as burdensome overkill, there is actually good reason for this process. Pilots may roll their eyes when I state this, but that reason is called “aviation safety.”
That said, it often appears to pilots that the FAA protocols go a bit overboard and beyond what is truly needed to determine aviation safety, with the system in place as it currently is. Unfortunately, there’s the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) that very carefully outlines not only the aviation medical safety standards the FAA must uphold, but AMEs also take an oath to provide examinations of pilots that meet the standards as prescribed.
The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) and Unmanned Safety Institute (USI) have opened enrollment for an auditor training course for the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) accreditation program.
Qualified IS-BAO auditors wishing to expand their qualifications into RPAS must successfully complete the online course.
IBAC rolled out the IS-BAO RPAS earlier this year, announcing in January that Cartersville, Georgia company Phoenix Air Unmanned had become the first operator registered in the program. The organization further partnered with USI on training programs for the expansion of IS-BAO into RPAS.
USI developed the initial course to provide the necessary training for audits on operators of small unmanned aircraft systems in primary non-complex, visual line-of-sight operations. IBAC said further courses are planned as regulations for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) become widely adopted globally. In addition, IBAC said plans call for expanding training to UAS program managers to help enhance their understanding of safety operations and culture.
USI president and CEO Josh Olds said IBAC’s extension of IS-BAO into RPAS is “bolstering a safer airspace internationally for future innovation."
Universal Aviation’s Dominican Republic operation has been selected to manage, operate, and modernize the general aviation terminal (GAT) at Santo Domingo’s La Isabela/Higuero Airport (MDJB). Of Santo Domingo’s two airports, MDJB is closer to the city, located just 25 minutes from the hotels and financial district.
“The Dominican Republic has experienced rapid growth in international arrivals since the start of the pandemic, with no signs of slowing,” said Greg Evans, chairman of parent company Universal Weather and Aviation. “For most private operators, La Isabella is the clear better option. It's more convenient, private, has a 5,500-foot runway, and faster CIQ arrival and departure processes.”
The modernized 1,700-sq-ft terminal features a VIP passenger room, conference room, and pilot lounge, and offers direct ramp access, coordination of permits and maintenance, baggage handling, security, fuel, valet parking, and ground transfers.
“We aggressively pursued taking over management of the GAT to elevate our customers’ experience at La Isabella to meet the growing demand of business operators traveling to Santo Domingo for business,” said Danilo Rosario Jiménez, director of Universal Aviation Dominican Republic. “On average we can get passengers and crew in and out of the airport in about 15 minutes in a very private and exclusive environment.”
Imperium Jets—a technology platform enabling private jet operators to fill empty seats and boost revenue through distribution partner networks—is collaborating with charter provider Flying Zebra to offer by-the-seat options on its Pilatus PC-12 turboprop singles for flights between Miami and New York. The private flight seat options don’t require a membership or come with any hidden fees.
Initially, customers will have access to 11 round-trip flights on Zebra’s New York to Miami route, as well as catered meals, concierge services, and ground transportation. Portions of those available seats have been sold, with the first flight taking place on December 23.
“Our partnership with Flying Zebra is indicative of a revolution within the aviation industry, which has been fueled by innovative technology and expansion of public access,” said Imperium CEO Lidor Revah. “The dream we had for our company was to ensure that everyone can fly in a private plane, and this is an important step towards that goal.”
This week at the MEBAA show in Dubai, Dornier Seawings signed an agreement with Gulf Enterprises that will bring the Part 23 FAA-certified Seastar amphibious twin-engine aircraft to the Middle East market. The two companies will partner on sales and marketing, operations and maintenance, and support for Middle East customers.
The $7.21 million (2017 $) Seastar is undergoing upgrades in preparation for EASA approval in 2023 before service entry in 2024. Major changes include Honeywell Epic 2.0 avionics with four large displays, a new flight control actuation system, and a revised landing gear design. Two 650-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-135A engines are fitted in fore-and-aft inline thrust configuration on the top of the fuselage.
According to co-CEO Jürgen Heinrich, the airframe is made of glass fiber composites that are far more resistant to corrosion, and there is no airframe life limit. The turboprop twin's maximum takeoff weight is now 11,240 pounds and it carries 363 gallons of jet-A. With space for six passengers in VIP configuration or nine passengers in a corporate layout, the Seastar’s maximum speed is 180 ktas. Its range is nearly 900 nm with VFR reserves.
“Expanding our sales network to the Middle East, by partnering with Gulf Enterprises, is a key strategic decision that brings the next-gen Seastar to its natural environment that we are looking forward to embrace,” Heinrich said.
Since the company's introduction at this year’s EBACE, carbon offsetting and compliance solutions provider Azzera is building the second phase of its business plan, a scaleable, cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform that will give business aviation customers a fully-integrated path to sustainability.
Azzera—which offers management services for compliance with the EU and UK emissions trading systems as well as providing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) certificate purchasing and tracing—has teamed with Montreal-based Innovobot to develop the platform which is expected to debut in Q2 2023.
Using flight operations data, the system will automate CO2 emissions calculations and reporting, and the company will offer instant access to carbon markets and SAF through blockchain technology to provide transaction and reporting transparency.
In the meantime, Azzera—which also operates a retail carbon marketplace—has established access to more than 12 million tonnes of certified carbon offset credits allowing it to increase its scale of operations while maintaining flexibility to offer customers custom solutions.
“We are pleased with the traction that we have generated in just six months,” said CEO and co-founder Puja Mahajan. “We have achieved the objectives outlined in our business plan and have established ourselves as thought leaders on sustainability within the global business aviation community.”
Vertiport infrastructure provider VPorts is partnering with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority and Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) at Dubai South on an advanced air mobility (AAM) incubator, the companies announced this week at the MEBAA show. Set to open in 2024, the hub will include dedicated flight-testing airspace, assigned block airspace, and new technologies to foster the burgeoning AAM industry.
VPorts has signed a 25-year lease, renewable for another 25 years, with MBRAH to establish the $40 million AAM center on a 37,000-sq-m site within Dubai South. Construction will start next year, with operations and flight testing to follow a year later.
According to MBRAH CEO Tahnoon Saif, the center is expected to generate $7 billion in direct revenues over the initial lease period and create 1,500 high-paying direct jobs. As part of the agreement, Canada-based VPorts will partner with private investors to deliver AAM infrastructure, development, and operations, allowing multiple revenue streams for the center. Nexa Capital Partners is leading the initial funding round, gathering a consortium of already active AAM investors.
By 2030, VPorts expects to expand its vertiport network to include all major industrial areas in the UAE, including Dubai South, Jebel Ali, Sharjah, and Ras Al-Khaimah, permitting eVTOL air-taxi operations throughout the country.
Blue horizons. Bohlke International Aviation director of marketing Renée Sweany shared this spectacular aerial shot of St. Croix that Dallen Gubler, a captain for the operator, had taken while en route from Barbados to Turks and Caicos. Bohlke is well familiar with the island, calling St. Croix home for more than 60 years. Thanks for sharing Renée!
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